Junior Professorship (W1) with Tenure Track to W2 ”Management of Bio-based Value Chains“

Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg's aim in offering the junior professorship with tenure track is to enable young academics with excellent prospects to become independent at an early stage of their career and to offer them long-term career prospects. The junior professorship with tenure track is aimed at academics in the early career phase.

At the Faculty of Natural Sciences III, Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences (IAEW) at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, the following position is to be filled:

Junior Professorship (W1) with Tenure Track to W2 ”Management of Bio-based Value Chains“

We are seeking a candidate with in-depth knowledge and an outstanding doctorate in agricultural economics or related disciplines. The candidate should be involved in research and teaching in the field of demand-oriented management of bio-based value chains and after completing the tenure track, will represent the entire broad spectrum of the subject area in research and teaching.

Bio-based value chains form the basis of modern sustainable agriculture. Appropriate management of bio-based value chains should reduce negative social externalities and promote positive economic, ecological and social development, at the same time being subject to dynamic change. On the one hand, there are technological innovations, e.g. in the substitution of fossil raw materials in the bioeconomy, the cascade use of plant and animal products, and the efficient use of resources through circular economy. On the other hand, change arises from organisational innovations within value chains, for example through digitised and automated business processes, as well as digital and platform-based transactions between stakeholders. 

The junior professor therefore will focus on examining the impact of innovations on businesses, end consumers and the agri-environmental system across the value chain – always from a business management and strategic planning perspective.

Relevant areas of research include but are not limited to: new customer-centric business models, risk management and corporate resilience in the face of increasingly volatile environmental factors, relationship marketing, cross-functional quality management, corporate social responsibility, consumer and societal acceptance of business models and the promotion of positive externalities. Methodologically, one can employ both quantitative and qualitative methods of business analysis and planning, agricultural economic modelling as well as life-cycle assessment and sustainability metrics for estimating environmental impacts.

The research focus of the professor offers a wide range of opportunities for cooperation with other professorships at the IAEW and the Faculty. Examples are joint research on new concepts for coupled plant and animal production to replace fossil raw materials and energy sources or to assess environmental impacts. Links are also available to existing and future interdisciplinary joint projects (e.g. DiP – https://www.dip-sachsen-anhalt.de and JTC – https://jtc.uni-halle.de) focusing on innovation and the design of socioeconomic agricultural systems. Research should be compatible with the university's profile areas, in particular ‘transformation’ and ‘sustainability’. Networking is highly desired with the natural and nutritional sciences within the university and with socio-economic institutions, such as the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO).

A willingness to cooperate in related fields is expected with the aim of contributing to the research output and third-party funding of the IAEW. Experience in independent scientific publishing must be demonstrated through relevant international publications. Experience in acquiring third-party funding is an advantage.

The focus of the teaching offered by the professor should be on management in the bachelor's and master's programmes at the IAEW, e.g. on the management of value-chains, marketing, and corporate social responsibility. Experience in teaching and supervising academic theses is expected. The willingness and ability to teach in German and English is a prerequisite. The faculty places great emphasis on committed and innovative teaching. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a commitment to delivering attractive teaching through innovative ideas. Experience in the development and design of degree programs is desirable.

In addition, a cooperative, team-oriented approach to work and strong communication skills are desirable. Participation is also required in academic self-administration and a willingness to take on leadership responsibilities at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and to improve personal development. Further duties are specified in Section 34 of the Saxony-Anhalt Higher Education Act.

Applicants must fulfil the requirements of being appointed according to Section 40 of the Saxony-Anhalt State Law of Universities. In particular, the prerequisites for employment are a completed university degree, pedagogical ability and a particular aptitude for scientific work, which is usually demonstrated by the outstanding quality of a doctorate. As a rule, the time period between the final doctoral degree examination and the application for this junior professorship should not exceed six years (family-related reductions in working hours are taken into account appropriately when assessing the academic age).

Junior professorships are filled on the basis of a temporary civil service contract, initially for a period of three years. The position shall be renewed for a further three years conditional upon a positive mid-term evaluation. Upon a positive tenure evaluation, and without a new vacancy announcement, there is a transition to a permanent W2 professorship. If the general legal requirements are met, this transition includes appointment through a lifelong civil servant relationship, or alternatively, transfer to an indefinite private-law employment relationship.

The Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg is committed to diversity and aims to create an inclusive environment where our staff and students feel valued and inspired. In particular, we aim to increase the proportion of women appointed as permanent staff; therefore, appropriately qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. The Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg strives to provide an environment compatible with work-life balance and has been certified as a family-friendly university since 2009. 

Applications from candidates with disabilities are particularly welcome, and will be given preference in the event of equivalent qualification.

Applications are accepted only electronically via the Appointment Portal of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg at:

https://berufungsportal.uni-halle.de/

before 18.09.2026. With the application the following information must be submitted: a cover letter, a detailed curriculum vitae should be uploaded including the candidate’s scientific career and qualifications, academic certificates, a list of publications and successful third-party funding as well as a teaching record including evaluations. Please include a statement outlining future research plans, with a brief description of your research project for the next six years of the junior professorship in relation to MLU as a research institution (maximum 2 pages), as well as a teaching plan (1–2 pages).

For further subject-related information, please contact Prof. Dr. Jan-Henning Feil (Tel.: +49 345 55 22361, e-mail: jan-henning.feil@landw.uni-halle.de).

Please note: Applications to his email address will not be considered.

If there are any questions about the appointment portal, please contact the Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences III and Chair of the Appointments Committee, Prof. Dr. Matthias Müller-Hannemann, (e-mail: dekanat@natfak3.uni-halle.de).

The call for applications is subject to possible budgetary restrictions. Please note that the University is unfortunately unable to reimburse costs associated with the application.

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